Rivet



Nov. 23, 1937. E. w. cuRTls 2,099,678

RIVET Filed June 29, 1956 Patented Nov. 23, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFiCE mvn'r Eugene W. Curtis, Chicago, Application June 29, 193s, serial No. 87,822 1o claims. (Cl. 13s-298) 'I'his invention relates to rivets in general, and more particularly to that form of composite rivets, for plugging and sealing holes, which are adapted to be inserted and secured in place from one side of the wall of a structure, an example being shown in my prior Patent No. 2,021,176, dated November 19, 1935. f

The principal object of my present invention is to provide a composite rivet or plug of this general character in which the plugging of the hole through which the rivet or plug is passed is eifected by the employment of a hard metal tubular element or sleeve in association with an expansible ferrule or collar, and means, as a bolt,

for expanding the ferrule or collar in securing the composite rivet in place, in contradistinction to the use of a malleable tubular element or sleeve as described in myy prior patent referred to, whereby a more effective composite rivet or sealing plug is provided for a greater field of application in plugging holes and applying patches to v,cylinders and other structures where access to the inner side of the wall of the cylinder in applying a rivet is impossible or impracticable.

A further object of my invention is to provide a composite rivet or sealing plug which may serve also as a nipple for communication with the cylinder or other container to which the device is ap plicable. Y

With these principal objects in view my invention contemplates a peculiar construction of the essential or main parts of the composite rivet or sealingplug, and includes certain details of construction, as hereinafter described and particularly set forth in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawing illustrating preferred embodiments of the invention,

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of ya composite sealo g1g rivet assembly in accordance with this inven- Fig. 2 is a sectional view illustrating the com posite rivet applied to a hole in a pair of plates, before the composite rivet is drawn up for sealing the hole; l

Fig. 3 is a sectional view showing the composite rivet drawn up, including a cap attached to the outer end; f

Fig. 4 is a perspective of the cap;

50 Fig. 5 is an elevation of a modified form of my invention in which the sleeve of the composite rifvet includes an engaging flange as a part thereo Fig. 6 is asectional view prior to the tightening 55 application of the assembly shown in Fig. 5

Fig. '7 `is a sectional view thereof, after the composite rivet` is drawn up; and

Fig. 8 is a sectional view of a further modifica-l tion of the composite rivet before it is drawn up, in this instance to provide a nipple connection for 5 a tank or the like. Y

Sealing rivets of this type are used in a variety of ways, that is, to fasten two or more plates together for attaching plates to structures which are accessible only from one side such as theex- 10 terior of a tank; for plugging holes in a like situa.- tion either by the application of an individual rivet to a small hole or by means of Va. plate to a large hole thus requiring a number of rivets; and for applying hollowrivets to a structure which is 15 accessible from oneside only and thus providing a pipe tap for liquids and gases. In each of these cases it is desirable, if not always necessary, to provide a sealed, fluid-tight and gas-tight fastening which` is rnily and securely attached. 20

Referring now more particularly to `Figures 1 to 4, this composite rivet comprises a hard metal sleeve I0 having a straight cylindricalportion II, which may be provided in its outer face with straight or slightly spiral knurls I2, and with a 25 slightly tapered outer surface I3 extending from the knurled surface to provide a driving and attaching fit when the rivet is inserted through a single wall, or through a pair of plates, as I4 and I5, to be joined by the rivet, the inner end of the 30 sleeve having a sharply tapered surface I6.

Extending through the sleeve I0 is an expanding core or bolt I'I having a head I8 -of substantially the same outer diameter as the sleeve I0, so that these partsmay be inserted through a. .35 hole to which the composite rivet is to be applied, with the threaded portion of the bolt extending freely through the plain bore of the sleeve. To complete the assembly constituting the composite rivet there is interposed between the inner side 40 of the bolt head I8 and the inner end of the sleeve I0 a sealing collar 2U, of expansible metal,

, which rests upon the inclined or tapered surface I 6 at the inner end of the sleeve, the outer diameter of said collar being'such that theouter sur- 45 face thereof does not project-beyond the outer surface of the sleeve for the insertion of the assembly through a hole, as shown in Fig. 2. To make a proper sealing joint the collar should be of a length slightly greater than that portion of o the sleeve which projects inwardly beyond the inner surface of the inside member to which the rivet is applied, wherebb7 when the collar is expanded over the body of the sleeve by the bolt head it will limit'the drawing up movement, at 55 which is in contact with the head Il of the boit,

may have a slight bevel 23 at its outer edge to be seated in a circular ring or groove 2l at the under side of the head of the bolt, the groove being preferably V-shaped in cross section. l

When this composite rivet is applied to a hole for plugging it, or to a hole through a pair of members I3 and il (Fig. 2) for securing them together as weil as plugging the hole, the nut is drawn up tightly, forcing the sealing collarlil against the tapered surface IGof the sleeve which slightly expands the collar causing it to follow closely along the outer surface of the body of the sleeve until the edge of the collar away from the head of the bolt engages the inner surface of the structure to which the rivet is applied, as shown in Fig. 3. At this time the sealing collar 20, preferably of annealed metal, will tightly engage the inside of the structure to which itis applied forming a seal at this point and also a' seal at the point where it engages the under side of the bolt head I3, so that there is no possibility of leakage at the inner portion of thefcomposite rivet or through the hole into which the rivet is inserted.

When the parts of the compomte rivet are drawn up tightly in this manner the threaded end of the bolt projects a considerable distance beyond the outside ofthe structure and this projecting portion may-be cut oif close to the outer surface of the nut 2i, or it may be cut oi! a short distance from the nut. leaving a threaded portion to which an enclosing cap nut 23 may be appliedwhich extendseither to the surface of the nut '2| or overy the -nut and washer to provide a neat and iinished appearance, as shown in Fig. 3, but it will be understood this cap has no sealing function as the opening through which the rivet is inserted is sealed on the inside'by the collar coacting with the sleeve, both'head, and inner face of the wall or plate, augmented to some extent by the washer 22. Thus a double` seal is lprovided by the rivet which is very eil'ectivel for tanks containing liquids and gases. This type rivet with the knurled sleeve is intended to provide a driving llt soA that the sleeve may be passed quickly but firmly through the opening to which therivet is applied, being. quickly drawnv up by rotating the nut .2l and the projecting end of the bolt snipped or cuty oil at the proper length. The cap 23 may then be applied if desired..

In the form of the invention shown by Figs. 5 to 7, a sleeve member 3l has a straight cylindrical portion 32 enlarged at `its outer end in the form of a flange or nut 33, and'at its inner end is tapered abruptly.as at 33, for expanding a collar, 33, as in the other form of composite rivet heretofore described. A-bolt 33 is inserted loosely through this sleeve and in this instance also the collar is interposed between the head of the bolt and tapered surface 33 of the sleeve. At the inner side of thc head oi' the bolt I may provide spaced ribs 31 extending outwardly from the stem and. engaging the outer endsl of the sleeve and collar to assist in preventing .relative rotation oi the bolt. In this instance also compression of the collar is ei'fected by a nut 33 applied to the threaded projecting end of the bolt, and when the composite rivet is inserted in a single hole, or holes through adjacent members 4l and Il, the sleeve need not fit the hole or holes tightly in order to provide a sealing nt when the rivet is drawn up.

In drawing up a composite rivet in accordance with my invention a lholding tool, such as a flat wrench, is applied to the external head 33 and the nut 33 is rotated upon the bolt 35. 'I'his presses the sealing collar 36 against the tapered surface 33 which spreads or expands said collar against the outside of the body portion of the sleeve 3| until it engages the surface of the inner face of the member to which the rivetl is applied. Y

This forms a seal between the boit head and said inner member, as before explained, and holds the rivet tightly in the hole through which it is inserted. The outer end of the boit may then be cut off and a cap or cover as shown in Fig. 4 may be applied. l

In practice,when.a large number of these composite rivets are to be applied. a specialtool may be provided for rapidly spinning the nut, as Il, on the bolt, but if the rivetsare of the 'type shown in Figs. 5 to 'I the tool (not shown) may have a socket for holding the nut 33 on .the sleeve as well as means for turning the compressing nut 33. y .'K k

When it is desired to make a tubular Vconnection to a tank .or other structure the forni of my invention shown in Fig. 8 is employed, in which a hollow bolt 53 is provided, said bolt also havinga head li for .engaging a sealing collar 52 to pressl it against a tapered surface 53 on a sleeve member 33 having an external flange or head 35, yas well as a compressing and Ifasteningnut B3 on the threadedvend ofthe hollow bolt for drawing it outwardly to expand the collar l2 over the body portion of thesleeve in sealing position against the inside of a wall or plate 51 to which the rivet is applied. Any sort of a pipe fitting may then be applied to the outer threaded end of the hollow rivet and agconvenlent connection is thus provided for a fluid or liquid tap which may easily be applied by a single workman from the outside of a tank or casving. This is especially valuable for making fluid-tight tapped `openings in gas or oil tanks and the like.

In all of theser form the composite rivets are easily inserted and applied from one side only of a wall or structure, the rivet is quicklydrawn up by means of a nut on a threaded bolt, and a seal is ailorded by compressing a sealing-collar against an expanding surface, which makes a seal between the head-of the'boit and the inside surface to which the rivet is applied, and the sleeve member is held inplace during the application of the sealing collar either by a tight int inthe structure to which the rivet is applied or by an external head which is held against rotation while the nut is being drawn up upon the threadedfportion of the bolt.

Where in the drawing and specication I have shown and described a bolt as the element for forcing the' sealing collar overthe yprojecting portion of the sleeve and compressing it between the head of the bolt and face of the wall to which the rivet is to be secured, in connection with a nut for drawing on the'bolt, it will be obvious that this element may be modified, or the bolt reversed with respect to the sleeve and collar, within the spirit and scope of the claims.

I claim: 1. A composite rivet assembly for vuse in patching the walls of boilers andlike structures, comprising a hard metal .sleeve adapted to pass through a rivet hole in the wall and project beyond the inner face of the wall, said sleeve being tapered at its inner end,- a longitudinally movable element or bolt extending through the sleeve and having a head beyondV the tapered inner end of said sleeve, and an expansible metal collar of slightly greater length than the projecting portion of the sleeve, interposed between the head of the longitudinally movable element and tapered end. of the sleeve to form a seal between said head and the wall to which the rivet is applied'when the expansible element is compressed over the projecting portion of the sleeve by longitudinal movement of the bolt in securing the rivet in place.

2. A composite rivet assembly for use in patching the walls of boilers and like structures, comprising a hard metal sleeve adapted to pass through a rivet hole in the wall and project beyond the inner face of the wall, said sleeve being tapered at its inner end; a longitudinally movable element extending through the sleeve and having a head beyond the taperedA inner end of said sleeve; anexpansible metal collar 4of slightly greater length than the projecting portion of the sleeve and of approximately the same external diameter to pass through the rivet hole ahead of the sleeve, said collar being interposed between the head of the longitudinally movable element and tapered end of the sleeve to form a seal between said head and the wall to which the rivet is applied when the expansible element is compressed over the projecting portion of the sleeve by action of the longitudinally movable element in securing the rivet in place, and means l for drawing on the longitudinally movable element to force the collar over the sleeve and compress it between the rivet head and wall.

3. A composite rivet assembly for use in patching the walls of boilers and like structures, comprising a hard metal sleeve having means for engaging the wall of a rivet hole to prevent turning of said sleeve therein, the inner end of the sleeve being tapered; a longitudinally movable element extending through the sleeve and having a head beyond the tapered inner end of said sleeve; an expansible metal collar of slightly greater length than the projecting portion of the sleeve and of approximately the same external diameter to pass through the rivet hole ahead of the sleeve, said collar being interposed between the head of the longitudinally movable -element and tapered end of the sleeve to form a seal between said head and the wall to which the rivet is applied when the expansible element is compressed over the projecting portion of the sleeve by action of the longitudinally movable element in securing the rivet in place, and means for drawing on the longitudinally movable element to force the collar over the sleeve and compress it between the rivet head and wall.

4. A composite rivet assembly for use in patchturning; a longitudinally movable element extending `through the sleeve and having a head beyondY the tapered inner end of said sleeve; an expansible metal collar of slightly greater length than the projecting portion of the sleeve and of approximately the same external diameter to pass through the rivet hole ahead ofthe sleeve, said collar being interposed betweenthe head of the longitudinally movable element and tapered end of the sleeve to form a seal between said head and the wall .to which ,the rivet is applied when the expansible element is compressed over the projecting portion of the sleeve by action of the longitudinally movable element in securing the rivet in place, and means for drawing on the longitudinally movable element to force the collar over the sleeve and compress it between the rivet head and wall. Y

5. A composite rivet assembly for use in patching the walls of boilers and like structures,r comprising a hard metal sleeve adapted to pass through av rivet hole in the walland project beyond the inner face of the wall, said sleeve being tapered at its inner endand having an enlarged portion at its outer' end squared to receive a wrench for holdingrthe sleeve against turning;` a longitudinally movable element extending through the sleeve and having a head beyond the tapered inner end of said sleeve; an expansible metal collarv ofslightly greater length thanthe projecting portionc of the. sleeve and of approximately the same external, diameter to pass through therivet hole ahead of the sleeve, said collar being interposed between the head of the longitudinally movable element and tapered end of the sleeve to form a seal between said head and the wall to which the rivet is applied when the expansible element is compressed over the projecting portion of the sleeve by action of the longitudinally movable element in securing the rivet in place, and means for drawing on the longitudinally movable element to force the collar over the sleeve and compress it between the rivet head and Wall.

6. A composite rivet assembly for use in patching the walls of boilers and like structures, comprising a hard metal sleeve adapted to pass through a rivet hole in the wall and project beyond the inner face of the wall, said sleeve being tapered at its inner end; a bolt extending through the sleeve and having its head spaced from the inner end thereof; an expansible collar of slightly greater length than the projecting portion of the sleeve and of approximately the same external diameter to pass through the rivet hole ahead of the sleeve, said collar being interposed between the head of the bolt and tapered end of the sleeve; and a nut threaded on the bolt for drawing on the same to force the collar over the sleeve and compress it between the rivet head andA wall.

7. A composite rivet assembly for use in patching the walls of boilers and like structures, comprising a hard metal sleeve adapted to pass through a rivet hole in the wall and project beyond the inner face of the wall, said sleeve being tapered at its inner end; a bolt extending through the sleeve and having its head spaced from the inner end thereof, an annular groove at the inner side of the head of the bolt; an expansible collar of slightly greater length than the projecting portion of the sleeve and of Iapproximately the same external diameter to pass through the rivet hole ahead of the sleeve, said collar being seated at one end in the aforementioned groove in the head of the bolt and engaging the tapered end of the sleeve at its outer end; and a nut threaded on the bolt for drawing on the same toltorce the expansible collar over the sleeve and compress' inner end thereof; anexpansible collar of slightly greater length than the projecting portion of the sleeve and of approximately the same *diam-v eter, to pass through the Arivet hole ahead of the sleeve, said collar being interposed= between the head vof the bolt and tapered end oi' the sleeve; a washer on the outer end of they bolt to bear against the outer face of the wall; anda nut threaded on the outer end ofthe bolt against said washer to draw on the bolt to expand the collar over the projecting inner end of the sleeve and compress said collar between the head of the bolt and inner face of the wall to provide a seal.

9. A composite rivet assembly for use in patchingthe walls of boilers and like structures, cornprising a hard metal sleeve adaptedl to pass through a rivet hole in the wallandrproiect be'- yond the inner face of the wall,v said sleeve being tapered at its inner end, a longitudinally movable element extending through the sleeve and having alhead beyond the tapered inner end of the sleeve, said longitudinally movable element having a bore extending through the same pered'end of the'sleeve to form a seal 'between said :head and the wall to which the rivet is ap-f plied when the expansible collar is forced over' the projecting portionv of the sleeve and com-l pressed between the aforementioned head and inner face ofthe wall. i

10.y A composite` rivet assembly, .for use 'in patching the walls of boilers. and like structures,

comprisinga hard metal sleeve adaptedfto passv through a rivet hole in the wall and project beyond the inner face of the wall, said sleeve being tapered at its innerend; a bolt extending through the sleeve and havingits head'spaced fromthe inner tapered end of the sleeve; said bolt having a bore extending throughzthe same tov form a pipe connection to the structure; an expansible metal collar of vslightly greater length than the projecting portionof the sleeve and of approximately the same` external Adiameter to pass through the' hole ahead of the sleeve, said collar being interposed between the head of the bolt and tapered end of the'sleeve; and a nut on the outer end of the bolt to draw on the same to force the collar` over the projecting portion of the sleeve and compress it between the bolt head and inner face of the wall to form a seal.

EUGENE W. CURTIS. 

